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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Meaning

A glycoprotein expressed on the surface of activated endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, often referred to by its acronym, VCAM-1. Its primary function is to mediate the adhesion of circulating leukocytes (white blood cells) to the endothelium, a critical early step in the inflammatory cascade and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. VCAM-1 expression is often induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and is a key biomarker of vascular inflammation.